Anti-poaching patrols receive cakes to protect African wildlife

Cake, the Swedish manufacturer of electric motorcycles, has successfully delivered its first electric anti-poaching bush bikes to Africa. The quiet and powerful Kalk AP motorcycles have been delivered to rangers at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), which is adjacent to the Kruger National Park, who are now starting to use the bikes in their quest to combat poaching more efficiently.

Poaching has devastating consequences for wildlife in Africa and is one of the main reasons some species are critically endangered. Contrary to popular belief, one of the main causes of poaching is poverty and local food needs. Areas of widespread poaching are often large, remote, and roadless, making patrols by car virtually impossible.

Anti-poaching teams have typically used gasoline-powered dirt bikes for patrols as they are considered to be the fastest and most maneuverable vehicles in the bush. However, the engines and exhausts of these motorcycles are loud and the noise warns poachers from miles away, especially in the stillness of the night. Another big problem with gasoline-powered motorcycles is that the fuel has to be brought into the field by helicopter or truck, which has a negative impact on environmental pollution.

In collaboration with the SAWC, the Cake team has developed a bike that was built for the unique challenges of riding in the African bush and the harsh environments. The Kalk AP combines the off-road performance of the Kalk OR with a lightweight frame, a sealed drive train and a more robust suspension. Since it’s almost silent when you run, it’s also easier to move around without alerting poachers. A mobile solar charging station designed and produced by Goal Zero enables the rangers to take the bikes deep into the bush and work far away from the limits of the power grid and traditional fuel supply lines.

Stefan Ytterborn, Cake CEO and Founder, said, “It is great to see the first batch of Lime APs made it to Africa, ready to change the game of fighting poaching in the most threatened wildlife areas. With fast, quiet and solar-powered bicycles, we increase our chances of counteracting poaching and can really make a difference in the region. This is just the beginning. We will continue to deliver bicycles to the SAWC to strengthen their work against poaching. “

Mfana Xaba, SAWC Anti-Poaching Team Leader, said: “The gasoline motorcycles we have used in these areas have all been loud, heavy and expensive. The cake bikes are quiet, which makes it easier for us to meet poachers undetected. We hope that this cooperation will lead to a more effective fight against poaching in our region and we are very happy to be able to use the bikes in the wild. “

The rangers will share their feedback with Cake and identify advantages and disadvantages for constant improvements and adjustments until the bikes are optimized for the specific use and environment.

Already one of the most powerful bikes in the Cake catalog, the Lime AP was specially developed for rangers who spend their weeks in the African bush patrolling poachers and illegal traps. Special features include 18 “bespoke 3.5” thick off-road tires; Drive and suspension with additional sealing against dust; modified suspension for low maintenance, with progressive damper and front fork with spring and without air; modified drive train software for additional torque and moderate top speeds while minimizing overheating; an additional driving mode for higher top speeds on the road; a rear rack for attaching arms or medical devices and protective plates made of natural fiber biocomposite material from Trifilon.

The bikes are also equipped with a powerful, detachable Silva headlight for effective night patrols. Together with the luggage manufacturer DB, Cake has also developed a first aid kit that is transported on the Kalk AP and used in the field to care for injured animals.

More Kalk AP bikes are already on their way to the African bush, thanks to Cake’s “Buy-One-Give-One” program. With a special limited edition charity bundle, more bicycles are donated to help save more animals from poaching on site.

Cake offers the first 50 customers the opportunity to buy a Kalk AP for themselves at a special charity bundle price and at the same time donate another Kalk AP to the Southern African Wildlife College. The donation includes the solar-powered charging station and solar cells from Goal Zero.

Cake and Goal Zero will also donate their profit margins from the sale of Kalk AP directly to the Southern African Wildlife College, thereby financially supporting poaching in protected areas.

In order to further support and pursue the initiative, a number of Limited edition clothing will also be launched alongside the specialty bikes, where 5 percent of net sales are reinvested in SAWC to accelerate progress.

Cake demonstrated his first Electric off-road motorcycle, the Kalk, in January 2018 and won the Red Dot Design Award 2019 and 2020, the IF Design Award, the Automotive Brand Contest Award and several “Best in Show” awards. Since that first bike, Cake has released several highly regarded models, including its lightest model – the Makka e-moped – in September 2021. The company’s ethos follows a zero-emissions society that combines enthusiasm and responsibility when it comes to electro-off -Road motorcycles.

As part of the The SAWC learning by doing curriculum, the college pursues an innovation and development cycle that addresses current training needs in nature conservation and at the same time shapes the future nature conservation landscape. The SAWC has pioneered and achieved great success lately using free-range pack dogs in the fight against rhino poaching in the Greater Kruger National Park.

Technology is more and more a friend of animals, of Monitoring squirrels to Count puffin populations.

Earlier this year members of the public were encouraged to support conservation efforts by act as “virtual rangers” in a pilot surveillance project in a South African game reserve.

Other cutting-edge technologies are also being used to more effectively monitor and protect wildlife, such as sensors that act as Polar bear early warning system in Canada and analysis of Satellite images coupled with deep learning improve the number of endangered species living in complex geographic landscapes.

As COP26 – the critical climate conference – draws ever closer, perhaps world leaders should be aware of this the results of a large-scale survey conducted by Cambridge University and YouGov earlier this year. The poll of nearly 15,000 people from countries around the world found strong support for significantly improved government-led measures to curb climate change in America, Europe and Asia. The most popular demand from the world’s governments was to do more for the protection and conservation of wildlife, marine life and plants.